Comprehensive Report: Heritage and Cultural Tourism Management

This report delves into the multifaceted realm of heritage and cultural tourism management. It commences by examining the industry's growth and development, emphasizing the significance of heritage, particularly in regions like Lhasa, Tibet. The report identifies the types of cultural heritage, including natural environments, built environments, and artifacts, while also addressing potential conflicts in conserving these resources, such as the impact of poorly managed tourism. Furthermore, it explores the purpose of heritage and cultural attractions within the travel and tourism sector, using examples like the British and Natural History Museums to illustrate their roles in economic growth, cultural exchange, and social change. The report also investigates the impact of different types of ownership on site management and the roles and responsibilities of organizations within the industry, along with methods used for interpretation within the heritage and cultural sector to enhance the tourist experience.

Heritage and Cultural Tourism
Management

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Growth and development of the heritage and cultural industry.............................................4
1.2 Potential conflicts in the conservation of heritage and cultural resources. ...........................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Purpose of heritage and cultural attractions within the travel and tourism sector.................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Impact of difference types of ownership on the management of heritage and cultural sites 7
3.2 Roles and responsibilities of organizations in the heritage and cultural industry .................7
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Methods and media used for interpretation within the heritage and cultural industry for
tourists..........................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCE...................................................................................................................................8
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INTRODUCTION
Cultural heritage management is a branch of cultural resource management and can be
elaborated as the practice of conserving, restoring and managing heritage sites of archaeological
importance. Heritage and cultural management play important role within the travel and tourism
industry (Ballesteros and Ramírez, 2007). The present report features the key aspects of cultural
and heritage tourism management. The report analyzes the growth and development of heritage
and cultural industry. It enlist types and importance of heritage to global communities. In
addition to this it also analyzes the roles and responsibilities of organizations within heritage and
cultural industry. Apart from this, the report also evaluates methods and media used for
interpretation within heritage and cultural sector for tourism.
TASK 1
1.1 Growth and development of the heritage and cultural industry
Heritage can be defined as the practices or attributes that are inherited by one generation
from the previous generation that are passed down through the years. It can also be referred
to an individual's cultural and traditional background (Royo-Vela, 2009).
Talking in legal terms heritage is property and estate that passes by law to the next generation or
heirs after the demise of the legal owners. In other words Heritage can be defined as a broader
concept that consist of natural and cultural environment (Butler and Hinch, 2007). It entails
historic places, sites, buildings and landscapes. In addition to this, it also consists of biodiversity
and cultural practices and knowledge In the given case of Lhasa, Tibet it can be analyzed that its
rich cultural heritage records and describes the processes of archaeological development of the
place (Li, Wu and Cai, 2008). The place is recognized as the roof of the world and holds
important place in the global tourism. It forms bases for diverse local identities of Tibet and
contributes to cultural development of modern life.
Importance of heritage
Heritage plays very cardinal role in the development of Lhasa which is the capital of
Tibet. It acts as an important community asset and makes positive contribution in the growth and
development of Tibet.
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 It helps in the growth of economic sector as heritage sites are essential sources of benefits
through tourism in Lhasa.
 It provide bases for comprehensive study of number of subjects such as geography, law,
political science, linguistics, economics and many more to name.
 Rich heritage of Tibet creates a sense of place for its community and people as it adds
character and uniqueness to the place.
 Development of heritage sites of a nation brings in foreign investment which help the
economy to grow substantially (Harrison and Hitchcock, 2005). Tibet houses fabulous
monasteries, religious temples and offers high altitude trekking options which attract
tourists from all around the globe. This helps in economic development of the place.
 Reuse of heritage buildings is a vital determinant in creating sustainable communities. In
the given scenario, Chinese government has identified the potential of Tibet as heritage
tourism attraction and decided to design large scale projects to develop Lhasa (Chhabra,
Healy and Sills, 2003).
 Heritage sites act as effective sources of learning of archaeology and historical
knowledge. It acts as a positive tool for growth and development of Tibetan community. Chinese
Government is planning to implement development projects in Lhasa which will in turn
help in increasing the number of tourists (McCain and Ray, 2003).
Types of Cultural Heritage
Cultural heritage can be broadly categorized into three types. These are:
 Natural Environment: These are consist of natural landscapes , coastlines and agricultural
heritage (Timothy and Boyd, 2006). In the given case, Tibet has beautiful landscapes
that offer high altitude treks which fascinate domestic and international tourists.
 Built Environment: These include buildings, townscapes and archaeological monuments.
In the given scenario, Tibet is highly recognized for magnificent monasteries and
Buddhists temples that exhibit rich architecture of archaeological importance.
 Artifacts: These include books, literature, paintings and objects.
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1.2 Potential conflicts in the conservation of heritage and cultural resources.
Conservation of heritage and cultural resources very important for creating sustainable
communities across globe. Domestic and international tourism act as vital vehicles for cultural
exchange. Tourism has the potential of capturing economic traits of cultural heritage of an area
(Ballesteros and Ramírez, 2007). It harness these characteristics for conservation cultural
heritage by raising funds, educating national and global communities. Tourism is a complex
approach with multiple dimensions. These dimensions are cultural, educational, ecological,
social, political and economical. Natural and cultural heritage sites are major attractions for
tourists (Dallenn and Timothy, 2007). It has been observed that poorly managed tourism threaten
nature and other important aspects of cultural heritage sites and resources. Besides this, culture,
lifestyle and ecological elements of a host nation are at risk of degradation due to excessive
tourism (Timothy and Boyd, 2006). In the given scenario, it has been analyzed that there are
certain conflicts in the conservation of heritage and cultural resources of Lhasa. Tourism act as a
potential threat to natural and cultural heritage of Tibetan community due to the following
reasons:
 Lack of proper knowledge and communication regarding the importance of cultural and
heritage resources among tourists and local communities leads to reduced efforts in the
development of these resources. Due to lack of awareness there is least support to fund
the conservation of natural and cultural resources.
 Lack of proper interpretation and presentation of physical characteristics of an area
leads to ineffective cultural expression and understanding of cultural and natural heritage
in the minds of visitors and Tibetan communities (Butler and Hinch, 2007).
 The conservation of heritage and cultural resources is negatively affected by the lack of
protection and management laws and practices. It has been observed that lack of laws and
practices that are meant to monitor the tourism development polices at national and local
levels tend to deteriorate cultural heritage resources (Li, Wu and Cai, 2008).
 Tourism activities can adversely affect the cultural heritage site if they do not consider
important dimensions such as social, cultural and aesthetics. In addition to these
dimensions biodiversity attributes are also of prime importance to conserve heritage and
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cultural resources (Christou, 2005). In the given case, international tourists are barred
from entering the region because of these issues.
 Excessive and poorly managed tourism activities can bring unacceptable changes to the
physical and cultural characteristics of heritage resources. This can severely impact
integrity, authenticity and biodiversity of the area. In the given scenario, there was a
boycott against the proposed plan of InterContinental Hotel Group (McKercher, Ho and
du Cros, 2005).
 The hotel company had initial plan of building a themed luxury hotel in Lhasa to vouch
the benefits of tourism in Tibet. However its plan was strongly protested by
environmentalists to protect and conserve the cultural heritage of Tibet. Irresponsible behavior of tourists towards heritage sites of spiritual importance hurt the
sentiments of local communities who have high regards for spiritual heritage resources
(McCain and Ray, 2003). In the given case of Lhasa, it has been analyzed that foreign
visitors and journalists are barred from entering the region. However domestic visitors
are allowed to enter Buddhist monasteries and temples
 Poorly managed tourist promotional programs can hinder the employment opportunities
for local individuals of the host community (Kajanus, Kangas and Kurttila, 2004). For
example: use of interpreters and guide outside the host community reduces the
employment options to local people. This discourages local communities to make efforts
for conserving their cultural heritage resources.
 Proper training programs need to designed in order to educate and train local Tibetan
community in the given scenario (Dallen, 2007). Local communities can play important
role in promoting protection of ecological biodiversity and cultural heritage sites. Local
environmentalists and archaeologists can play important role in igniting the interest levels
of Tibetan communities to make effective interactions with visitors to promote cultural
heritage of Lhasa in the world.
TASK 2
2.1 Purpose of heritage and cultural attractions within the travel and tourism sector
Heritage and cultural attractions play very important role in the development of travel
and tourism industry in UK. Cultural heritage tourism is a branch of tourism which develops the
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cultural heritage of a place. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation,, Heritage
Tourism can be elaborated as “traveling to experience locations and artifacts that authentically
features the tales and people of history.” It has been observed that culture, arts and heritage are
the vital aspects that make the tourist destinations appealing (Harrison and Hitchcock, 2005).
Museums play very crucial role in the development of tourism at different levels. There are
various purposes of British and National History Museum within travel and tourism sector of
UK due to the following reasons:
 Heritage tourism aims to gain an appreciation of the history and archaeological
significance of cultural heritage sites. British Museum and the Natural History Museum
hold beautiful and impressive collection of artifacts and antiquities from ancient culture
of UK.
 Museums creates positive influence on the growth of economic sector of UK by
promoting foreign investment trough tourism and travel activities.
 Museums help in the conservation and protection of rich cultural values and
characteristics .
 British and National History Museum are the important sites of cultural exchange where
human cross cultural investigation and communication takes place. These museums bring
together people from different cultural and social backgrounds together to exhibit rich
cultural and archaeological aspects of British history (Ballesteros and Ramírez, 2007).
 Natural History Museum of London aims to exhibit a wide range of specimens for
different components of natural history. It is a home to life sciences specimens which
makes it a popular center of research for research scholars from different sciences. These
include zoology, botany, mineralogy and entomology.
 British museum aims to contribute in positive social change by facilitating exhibitions
and programs that can bring noticeable modifications in UK as well as global societies
and communities (McCain and Ray, 2003).
 The roles of British and Natural History museum are extremely relevant in context of
UNWTO Sustainable Development Goals (Aas, Ladkin and Fletcher, 2005). Museums
provide neutral spaces for indulging into fruitful discussions. Visitors can be engaged in
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order to develop their understanding for creating sustainable societies in future (Li, Wu
and Cai, 2008).
 Another important objective of British Museum is to provide important reference points
to harmful human activities and their impact on natural biodiversity and resources that
leads to global environment concerns (Timothy and Boyd, 2006).
 These Museums also act as moderators of various sensitive and controversial social
issues. As stated earlier museums potentially contribute to bring positive social changes
and museums act as moderators in neutralizing the sensitive social issues (Kajanus,
Kangas and Kurttila, 2004).
 British and Natural History museums are great sources of gaining knowledge on various
natural and cultural aspects of history (Li, Wu and Cai, 2008). These also act as center of
recreation for domestic and international visitors who are fond of archaeological and
cultural facets of the past.
 Another important purposes of British museum is to collect and preserve important work
of history such as literature, artifacts and specimens which provide great account of
information regarding evolution of human and natural history (Christou, 2005).
 Providing recreation to visitors is also one of the important objectives of British and
Natural History museums.
TASK 3
3.1 Impact of different type of ownership on the management of heritage and cultural sites
Travel and tourism industry has gains maximum profit than any other industry. There are
many sites are one of the most effective and growing tools with the help of which this industry is
growing tremendously. As a result, private and public sectors has start to take interest on getting
ownership for culture and heritage. Mostly the ownership of these heritages and culture sites are
owned by non-profit sectors as well as governmental sectors (Butler and Hinch, 2007). In
addition to this, there are many properties related to heritage which are still under or maintained
by private sectors. The main focus of these private businesses is to gain profit with the help of
these heritages but are least bothered to preserve it (Christou, 2005). Following are the impact of
different ownership:
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Public sector: In this ownership the maximum share is owned by the government. There are
many benefits when the ownership is with the government like tax exemptions, any kind of
allegations would be solved easily. Any heritage which is owned by government is not
maintained for gaining profit but it is maintained and looked after so that the history could be
kept safe for future generation. In context with UK, there are many heritage sites which is owned
by government like Forth Bridge which is maintained by government of UK (Ballesteros and
Ramírez, 2007). All the expenses incurred for maintaining are taken after by the government. In
simple words it can be stated that government plays important role in maintaining the heritage
sites.
Private sectors: When two or more people get together under a contract and share all the profit
and loss, then they are said to be partners. In this sector there are three types of partnership which
are as follows:
Limited partnership: According to this partnership there are many partners involved the
maximum number of partners involved in this type of partnership is twenty-three members.
These partners spend highly on the heritage sites which are looked after by them. These partners
understand the requirement of the heritage and accordingly they get money from people who
visit to these heritages. For example, Derwent Valley Mills which is a heritage place at UK is
maintained and looked after by Limited partnership.
Partnership: In this type of partnership there are maximum three partners involved. They focus
on earning profit with the help of heritage which they own. They spend on these heritages so that
they could attract people with the help of which they get money for paying their taxes and in
maintaining the heritage (Harrison and Hitchcock, 2005). It is very important for these partners
to look after their heritage properly and effectively so that they would be able to attract more and
more people who would visit and so that they could gain profit. New and old town of Edinburgh
is the best, which is owned by partnership.
Proprietorship: In this there is a single owner who manages and controls the heritage. All the
expenses and maintenance cost is uncured by this person himself. The main aim of these
individuals who hold business alone is to gain profit with the help of heritage. Buckingham
Palace is the best example, which is owned by proprietorship (Ballesteros and Ramírez, 2007).
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3.2 Analysing roles and responsibilities of firm in heritage and culture
There are many organizations which work for the betterment and preservation of heritage
and culture. In this context, there are many governments as well as non-government
organizations which work in this area. One of the firm which looks after these heritages and
culture is English Heritage. It is also known as Monument Commission and Historic Building for
England. It is a non government body which work for the maintenance and betterment of most of
the architectures and buildings which has historic background in London. In addition to this, they
also ensure that the visitors do not perform any kind of damage to these heritages and culture of
the country. In this context, there are many other heritages which is looked after or maintained
by English Heritage. Few of them are like there were many historic landscapes which were
submerged inside English coasts and it also includes many other archaeological sites. There are
almost 400 sites and 250 places which is preserved and maintained by English Heritage
(Kajanus, Kangas and Kurttila, 2004). In this context, they also provide tourist who visit to these
heritages with information so that they get to know the reasons because of which places are
stated to be historic.
Similarly, National Trust also have same objectives of preserving and maintaining
heritage and cultural sites. It was founded by three people who are Robert Hunter, Hardwicke
Canon Rawnsley and Octavia Hill in the year 1894. The main aim of this trust is to maintain and
preserve the historic structures and in preserving the beauty of pictures, historic or priceless
furnitures, art, etc. in addition to this, they also work for the preservation of plant and animal life.
In this context, government has also made many laws which made for the preservation and
protection of plants and animal life. It is the main aim of this trust. It has also started expanding
their work as they have started to look after gardens and houses of the country and specially for
those places where tourist visit (Timothy and Boyd, 2006). In relation with this they are
supported by many people who are experts on these areas who have the knowledge of different
language and these people help tourist the culture and history behind the heritage. These people
are proved to be very helpful in providing adequate information regarding the heritage and
cultural sites. In this context, tourist also get an opportunity to clarify all their doubts which they
have in their mind. Further, there are many other laws which are made or developed just because
this trust has worked so that they could protect their historic places (Kajanus, Kangas and
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Kurttila, 2004). Moreover, they also conduct various research with the help of which they get to
know more detailed understanding about the heritage and culture and try to find out more ancient
stuffs so that traveller get to know more about it. Surveys and research play important role in
knowing the more wide knowledge and understanding and in providing adequate information
with the help of which they would be able to explain visitors more clearly (Ballesteros and
Ramírez, 2007).
4.1 Media and methods used for interpretation within Heritage and cultural industry
There are many museums which focus on heritage and culture of the country. In this
context, there are many museums which are involved in this. The main aim of these museums are
to providing traveller around the world to convey the culture, lifestyle, tradition, etc. which were
followed in past centuries. With respect to this, these museums have started using many methods
which the help of which they are able to provide reliable and in more understandable way
(Harrison and Hitchcock, 2005).
The British Museum was founded in the year 1753. It has preserved nearly history of two
million years old. Amazing fact of this place is that it has almost has area equal to 9 football
pitches. There are many strategies which they adopt so as to provide their visitors with ample of
information (Ballesteros and Ramírez, 2007). Similarly, Natural history museum has preserved
many segments which are very helpful in providing and in explaining the history effectively.
Following are the strategies which are used by these museums for providing information:
KIOSKS: It is very helpful in providing information regarding the historical things which they
have preserved. The visitor just need to select the part of which the traveller or visitor would be
interested in and KIOSKS would be helpful in providing them with all the information (Kajanus,
Kangas and Kurttila, 2004).
Headphones: In this they have provided the visitors with headphones with the help of which they
would be able to get to know the information regarding the thing which the traveller would have
been watching. It is the unique concept in which they can see and understand the history easily
(McCain and Ray, 2003).
Tour guide: It is the most common thing which followed in mostly all the museums. There are
tour guides who have vast knowledge regarding all the historic things which are placed in the
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museum. In this, visitors or travellers have the opportunity to clarify all the doubts regarding any
historic event paced in the museum (Timothy and Boyd, 2006).
Conducting fairs: These museums also conduct fairs in which they provide all the information
regarding the historic things which they have in their museums (Li, Wu and Cai, 2008).
Posters and banners: In order to attract and to provide information these museums develop
posters or banners with the help of which they provide information to their viewers. These
posters which they develop are very large in size and do attract the attention of the visitors or
travellers (Harrison and Hitchcock, 2005).
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that heritage and culture play very crucial role in development of
tourism and travel industry. The report highlights the importance of heritage and cultural
resources. In addition to this it has been learned that there are three types of natural and cultural
heritage resources that are need to be preserved and conserved. The report analyzed potential
conflicts that are concerned with conservation of cultural heritage resources in the given
scenario. Tourism and travel industry significantly affect the cultural heritage of a place. The
study also evaluates different purposes of cultural heritage attractions within tourism and travel
industry of UK. Further the roles and responsibilities of various UK based heritage organizations
are studied in length to discuss their impact on heritage and cultural industry.
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